Speaker Announcement: Jim Al-Khalili
August 6, 2012 Blog Johanna Peltola
If you’re wondering about black holes, space warps or time machines, our newly announced guest might have the answers. Theoretical physicist and renowned science communicator Jim Al-Khalili OBE knows the puzzles and conundrums of science, and the odds are that he can explain them to you in an intelligible manner.
Jim Al-Khalili was born in Iraq and later settled in the UK to study his lifelong passion – science. After attaining PhD in nuclear physics, he now holds two chairs at the University of Surrey; physics and Public Engagement in Science.
His work in science communication has been awarded with Royal Society’s Michael Faraday prize and the Institute of Physics Kelvin Medal. Al-Khalili serves as a trustee of the British Science Association and advises the Royal Society, the British Council, the Institute of Physics among other bodies related to science policy, funding, education and public engagement.
In recent years Al-Khalili has been an active research scientist while widely engaging with the public perplexed by conundrums of science. His works include several books, tv documentaries and radio shows.
Broadcaster Al-Khalili is a familiar face and voice in British media. Last year’s science documentary Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity introduced the audience to the history of electricity. This summer the all-round scholar interviewed leading scientists about their life and work in The Life Scientific on BBC’s Radio 4.
Al-Khalili’s books have been translated into over 20 languages and his latest literary works include Paradox: The Nine Greatest Enigmas in Physics (2012) and Pathfinders: The Golden Age of Arabic Science (2010).
Find out more about Jim Al-Khalili in his official website and Twitter channel.
We are honoured to have professor Jim Al-Khalili join us on stage at TEDxSalford 2.0. The event shall be held at the Lowry Complex, Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, on 21st October 2012.
